The lab is tackling many projects associated with the spatial ecology of mammal conservation, many focusing on bats and rodents in the southeastern US.
​These projects include:

Impacts of humidity and hibernaculum substrate on ​growth of the WNS fungus

This research aims to study the growth behavior of the fungus responsible for white-nose syndrome (WNS) (Pseudogymnoascus destructans) under controlled laboratory conditions. The experiments focus on understanding how this pathogen thrives under varying relative humidities and on different substrates, particularly those mimicking natural and non-natural cave environments (gypsum, sandstone, graphite) and bat wings. This work is critical to better understand how the continue spread of the pathogen will impact bat populations in less humid and mad-made environments. This work is lead by graduate student Logan Young.

Effects of handling time, bat bag type, and air temperature on stress hormones in bats

​This study examines how handling time, bag type, and ambient air temperature affect physiological stress responses in bats, as measured by glucocorticoid hormone levels. We are using plasma cortisol measurements before and after handling to assess stress of processing. We will also include the impact of air temperature to assess any potential overheating of bats. The results will provide implications for animal welfare and the design of field sampling and handling protocols. Optimizing handling conditions may help reduce stress in bats during research and conservation activities. This work is led by graduate student Gabrielle Tomboc.

Selection of forage habitats of endangered gray bats on Fort Campbell Army Base

This project investigates forage site selection of the endangered gray bat (Myotis grisescens) using a combination of acoustic monitoring and habitat assessments. The gray bat, a cave-dwelling species endemic to the southeastern United States, forages primarily over water bodies and forested areas. Understanding their foraging behavior is critical for effective conservation, particularly in regions facing habitat loss and land-use change. This study will contribute to the growing body of research on gray bat ecology and will offer practical recommendations for land managers aiming to conserve foraging habitats essential to the species’ recovery. This project is led by graduate student Macee Roberts. 

Monitoring impacts of southeastern grassland restoration on small mammal communities

Extensive habitat loss and degradation have altered native grasslands in the southeastern United States. Restoration efforts, such as those in grasslands managed by the Southeastern Grasslands Initiative, may provide the necessary resources for historical wildlife communities. We are assessing restoration efforts by estimating the small mammal community composition between a restored grassland, an unrestored grassland, and a remnant grassland in Tennessee. We are using a combination of small mammal live-trapping, camera trapping, and acoustic monitoring to assess small mammal species diversity among the treatments. ​This project has lots of help from volunteers, including Casey Kleinhans, Logan Young, L. Martin, Alexis Nefe, Gabrielle Tomboc, Jaron Sedlock, Kaia Raines-Ownby, Macee Roberts, and Kamaya Holloway.

Hibernation behavior of tricolor bats in non-traditional hibernacula​
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Our long-term goal is to understand the bioenergetics and roosting requirements of tri-colored bat in culverts in east Texas. This study will help to not only understand hibernation in this specific location, but also shed light on the flexibility of hibernation behaviors across all hibernators in mild and variable climates. To achieve these goals, we are using passive monitoring techniques and bioenergetic modeling that we will compare to previous work from bat species (tri-colored and others) in colder climates. More broadly, this project will provide information about the common traits of apparently unaffected populations, and thus will help explain differential susceptibility on an individual and species level. This work is in conjunction with Dr. Sam Leivers (Texas Parks and Wildlife) and Dr. Nate Fuller (USFWS).

Impacts of human beach use on the thermoregulation behavior of Galapagos sea lions

This project is studying sea lion thermoregulation in response to human presence on beaches, using drones and thermal analysis of beach substrates. The project includes an educational outreach component for local schools and tourism groups on how best to interact with sea lions and other wildlife in the Galapagos Islands. This project is in collaboration with Dr. Madeline Giefer (APSU Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences) and the Galapagos Science Center.

Predicting hibernacula suitability for the WNS fungus across western North America

We are currently developing a predictive model that quantifies the growth area (cm²) of P. destructans as a function of relative humidity levels (ranging from 50% to 100%) within hibernacula using laboratory-cultured fungal samples. We will enhance current predictive models of fungal growth to account for both temperature and humidity, using data from controlled laboratory experiments that simulate microclimatic conditions found in natural hibernacula, and then apply the refined predictive model to assess fungal growth potential across hibernacula in geographic regions where WNS has not yet been detected. This work is in collaboration with Tennessee Tech University.

Testing the thermal suitability of bat boxes and use in response to temperature

Recent research suggests that bat houses often over-heat during the summer due to size, placement, and over-crowding, ultimately leading to mortality in vulnerable bat species. The objective of this work is to determine fine-scale use of bat boxes in response to temperature per species. We also aim to include a community outreach component to this project, where we will work with public and private landowners to assess thermal suitability and bat use of their personal bat boxes. The results from this study will help mitigate human-bat conflicts with the understanding of how artificial roosts may not be as suitable as once thought and assessing how bats respond to these stresses.